Chelsea Transfer News: Theo Walcott Targeted by Blues Amid Arsenal Exit Rumours

Chelsea are apparently ready to reignite their interest in Theo Walcott, with reports claiming the Blues are looking at the possibility of signing the England international should Arsenal make him available for transfer this summer.

That’s according to Matt Hughes of The Times, who notes the Stamford Bridge club were interested in the forward when his contract was running down three years ago. As noted in the piece, Walcott has yet to be offered a new deal with the Gunners; his current agreement expires at the end of next season.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

It’s been a tough campaign for the 26-year-old. Having missed the early parts of the season with a serious injury, his return to the squad has been far from seamless. Indeed, with players like Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud all performing wonderfully in 2015, chances have been at a premium for the former Saints star.

As we can see here courtesy of Sky Sports News HQ, it’s been a massively frustrating season for the England man:

Even away on international duty, Walcott has struggled. Admittedly, he was deployed in an unfamiliar role at the tip of a diamond midfield for England against Italy, but his movement was confusing, his utilisation of the ball erratic and his work rate out of possession left much to be desired.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

As noted here by WhoScored.com, Walcott was an almost anonymous figure in the game:

This rustiness is a product of the malaise that has engulfed him at club level and even if the Gunners do offer the former teenage sensation a new deal, Walcott has some big decisions to make. After all, with players like Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tomas Rosicky also vying for spots in the Arsenal team as well as the aforementioned quartet, where does Walcott fit in?

Julian Finney/Getty Images

It’s tough to make a case for him at the moment and that will come as a source of great concern to the player, who remains a hugely popular figure at the Emirates.

But he’s approaching his peak years now and, while he does score goals and pick up international caps, as noted by football writer Seb Stafford-Bloor, he’s been sleepwalking through his career for a while now:

For the same reasons the player may ponder leaving the Emirates, Walcott should also resist the urge to join Chelsea.

Not too dissimilar to the Gunners, Jose Mourinho’s side have an excess of attacking midfield and forward options, meaning the England international would have to be content with being a minor cog in the machine rather than a critical component.

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

At this juncture, it’s the latter which Walcott needs if he’s to inject some initiative into his toiling career. Encouragingly, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, the importance of regular games is something the player is acutely aware of:

By contrast, the Blues should be looking at bringing in players capable of making an impact in the first team. One potential target is reportedly Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, per Rob Shepherd of the MailOnline, and Bleacher Report's Chelsea correspondent Garry Hayes thinks he'd be a superb addition:

Chelsea would represent a tantalising proposition for Walcott, with the chance to challenge for trophies on myriad fronts under an iconic manager enough to lure most players to West London. But as Walcott approaches his peak years, a move to the Blues would only cast further aspersions about his playing time and subsequent development.

Both Liverpool and Manchester United have been linked with the England star, per Cross of the Daily Mirror and while neither are currently at Chelsea’s level, they are illustrious teams that would be able to give Walcott the kind of reassurances he needs regarding first-team football. If Arsenal can’t offer similar pre-requisites, the forward has some big decisions to make in the upcoming window.